News Archive

Saliot represents DA at the ASEAN-India Ministerial Meeting

NEW DELHI, India -- Representing the Philippine Department of Agriculture (DA), Director Asterio P. Saliot of the Agricultural Training Institute (ATI) led the Philippine Delegation at the 2nd ASEAN-India Ministerial Meeting and Agri Expo held in this City.

The Government of India hosted the ministerial meeting on October 17, 2012 coincided by the India-ASEAN Agri Expo held at the National Agricultural Science Center Complex on October 17 to 19, 2012 in Pusa, New Delhi.

This was previously agreed during the first meeting held in October 2011 in Jakarta, Indonesia, where the ministerial meeting would be preceded by the Senior Agriculture Officers' Meeting on the same day. Saliot represented the Philippines' Senior Agriculture Officer Romeo S. Recide from the Department of Agriculture.

Shri Sharad Pawar, Minister of Agriculture and Food Processing Industries from the Government of India and Agriculture Minister Vilayvanh Phomkhe of Lao PDR inaugurated the ASEAN-India Agri-Expo along with agriculture ministers and representatives of the ASEAN member countries.

One of the highlights of the event was the launching of the ASEAN-India Newsletter on Agriculture and Forestry, which was an agreement through the ASEAN-India Technical Working Group during their meeting in Indonesia last March 2012.

Host agencies from India consisted of the Department of Agricultural Research and Education and Indian Council of Agricultural Research. The Confederation of Indian Industry organized the Agri Expo where ASEAN member countries, both from the government and private sectors, displayed their products and services. The thematic sectors for the Expo included food science and technology, agricultural production and productivity technology and agriculture investment.

During the Senior Agriculture Officers' Meeting, the delegates reviewed the short-term and medium-term programmes of action, as well as the ASEAN-India Cooperation in Agriculture that would be implemented in the next few months until next year. They likewise agreed on the reports and recommendations for approval during the Agriculture Ministers' Meeting on the same day.

The Philippines was represented by Consul General Maria Agnes M. Cervantes from the Embassy of the Philippines in India during the ASEAN-India Agriculture Ministers' Meeting, along with the Philippine Delegation led by Saliot, with members Antonieta J. Arceo and Pamela G. Mappala, both from DA-ATI.